Agenda and minutes

To receive as a correct record the minutes of Cabinet held on Tuesday, 5 December 2023 (previously circulated). 

The minutes of the meeting held on Tuesday 5 December 2023 were approved as a correct record.

The Chair advised that there were no items of urgent business.

To receive declarations by Councillors of interests in respect of items on this Agenda. 

Councillors are reminded that, in accordance with the Localism Act 2011, they are required to declare any disclosable pecuniary interests which have not already been declared in the Council’s Register of Interests. (It is a criminal offence not to declare a disclosable pecuniary interest either in the Register or at the meeting). 

Whilst not a legal requirement, in accordance with Council Procedure Rule 9 and in the interests of clarity and transparency, Councillors should declare any disclosable pecuniary interests which they have already declared in the Register, at this point in the meeting. 

In accordance with Part B Section 2 of the Code Of Conduct, Councillors are required to declare the existence and nature of any other interests as defined in paragraphs 8(1) or 9(2) of the Code of Conduct. 

No declarations were made at this point.

Members were advised that there had been no requests to speak at the meeting in accordance with Cabinet’s agreed procedure.

(Cabinet Member with Special Responsibility Councillor Hamilton-Cox)

Report of Chief Officer Resources  (report published on 15 January 2024)

Cabinet Member with Special Responsibility Councillor Hamilton-Cox)

Cabinet received a report from the Chief Officer Resources which sought Cabinet’s endorsement of the Fees and Charges Policy for 2024/25 and consideration of a range of charging options as deemed appropriate to the service area.

The options, options analysis, including risk assessment and officer preferred option, were set out in the report as follows:

The officer preferred option is Option 1. Fees and Charges are reviewed on an annual basis and as outlined within the report, significant factors have become apparent as to why differing treatment is required within a couple of areas. It is felt that the recommendations made are of a fair nature and in-line with the attached policy.

Councillor Hamilton-Cox proposed, seconded by Councillor Wood:-

“That the recommendations, as set out in the report, be approved.”

Councillors then voted:-

Resolved unanimously:

(1)        That Cabinet endorses the Fees and Charges Policy as set out at Appendix A to the report, and during 2024/25 as part of the mid-year budget strategy review determines whether any other areas of income generation be explored further for 2025/26 onwards.

(2)        That Cabinet endorses the increasing of selected car parking pay and display charges in line with those listed in Appendix C to  the report.

(3)        That Cabinet endorses the increase of garden waste collection charges by £4 to £45 per annum.

(4)        That Cabinet endorses the application of inflationary increases to fees and charges across all remaining areas as appropriate, as reported as part of the current 2024/25 budget setting process.

(5)        That Cabinet endorses the annual review of Mellishaw Park pitch fees in line with CPI, as prescribed by the Mobile Homes (Pitch Fees) Act 2023.

 (6)      That Jubilee Court rents be set in accordance with the Policy  ...  view the full minutes text for item 56.

(Cabinet Member with Special Responsibility Councillor Hamilton-Cox)

Report of Chief Officer Resources (report published on 15 January 2024)

(Cabinet Member with Special Responsibility Councillor Hamilton-Cox)

Cabinet received a report from the Chief Finance Officer to provide an update on the Council’s budget strategy for 2024/25 and financial outlook up to 2028/29. Specifically, the report considered the budget and Council Tax proposals for 2024/25.

The options, options analysis, including risk assessment and officer preferred option, were set out in the report as follows:

It is essential that the Council Tax rate is set in line with the Council Tax billing timetable.

Any delay would put the Council at risk of not being able to collect the tax which would

 have serious cash flow implications.

Regarding the budget strategy, Cabinet may approve the proposals as set out, or ask

 for changes to be made to the suggested approach. The overriding aim of any budget

setting process is to approve a balanced budget by statutory deadlines, allocating

resources to help ensure delivery of the Council’s corporate priorities and service

outcomes. The proposed approach is in line with that broad aim and any changes

 that Cabinet puts forward should also be framed in that context.

In terms of the actual budget position, this report puts forward a balanced budget. If

Cabinet agrees the budget, then it will form their proposal to Budget and Performance

Panel on 18 January 2024 and subject to public consultation 31^st January. The feedback

from these meetings will be considered by Cabinet and incorporated into a final

budget proposal which will be presented at the Cabinet meeting on 06 February 2024

and recommended to Council on 28 February 2024.

The current budget proposal produces a balanced budget through utilisation of the Councils reserves. Cabinet and Officers must continue to work ahead of Cabinet’s 06 February 2024 meeting to identify further opportunities for savings, efficiencies, and income generation to further reduce the use of reserves.

Whilst the longer-term financial forecasts contain numerous estimates and assumptions, which will change over time, the forecasts clearly highlight potential annual and cumulative budget deficits over the next 5 years and the position the Council faces. Although this position is not unique to this Council, and is reflected nationally across many public sector bodies, the gaps identified for 2025/26 and beyond are of a level that both Members and Officers need to recognise the size of the challenge ahead and manage the transitional change to the way that the Council delivers both its statutory and non-statutory services across the district .

Councillor Hamilton-Cox proposed, seconded by Councillor Wood:-

“That the recommendations, as set out in the report, be approved.”

Councillors then voted:-

Resolved unanimously:

(1)        That Cabinet make recommendations to Council regarding the Lancaster City Council element of the Council Tax as set out in paragraph 3.3 (option one) of the report which is a 2.99% increase to the Band D Council Tax (from £249.18 to £256.63).

(2)      That Cabinet makes recommendations regarding its initial budget proposals as set out in section 5 and Appendix A of the report.

(3)        That the  ...  view the full minutes text for item 57.

Report of Chief Officer Governance

In accordance with the Scheme of Delegation to Officers (Part 2, Section 7 – Delegations to the Chief Executive Matters of Urgency) the Chief Executive submitted a report to Cabinet with details of two urgent decisions taken under Rule 15 following consultation with the relevant portfolio holder and with the agreement of the Chair of Overview & Scrutiny.  The Urgent Decisions both related to the procurement of demolition services in relation to the major incident on 3 December 2024.  (UB 135 & UB136 refer).

Resolved unanimously:

That the Urgent Decisions taken by the Chief Executive on 6^th December and 15th December 2023 following the declaration of a major incident on 3^rd December 2023 be noted.